Our LRDG Chev

[Andrew H.]

G'Day,
I promised Hanno I would start a thread on our LRDG replica that we are creating from a Chev truck discovered in a barn. Its a joint project between three of us Kiwis who are interested in old military vehicles and particularly in the LRDG, in which so many New Zealanders served. The old Chev was given to us by the previous owner who is a Ford fanatic. He has a huge shed full of Ford trucks and tractors and said he was not interested in Chevs, so he gave it to us for nothing. That was in late 2010.

Here are the first pics showing the truck in its original condition before we started restoring it.

[motto]

Most unusual, I've not seen one before with a CMP or CCKW type steering column and wheel. Does it have its own mounting flange or does it use a clamp arrangement on the sector shaft boss.

David

[Andrew H.]

Actually I think these "miliatarised" civilian Chevs with that type of dash and steering wheel were not uncommon in New Zealand. Re your query about the steering box: I will try to upload a pic of it if I can reduce the file size enough. Here goes:

[motto]

Thanks for that Andrew.
The steering box on that truck is definitely a heavier duty unit than what we got here on the L/L Chevs.
It's strange that they didn't then go the whole hog and fit a heavy front axle instead of the light duty front axle with the bicycle type wheel bearings that it's got?

Cheers

David

[Andrew H.]

We are limited in both time and money so the restoration process is taking a bit longer than expected. It was April 2011 before we started dismantling the old girl. Here is the cab being removed.

[Andrew H.]

I thought it best to show you what we are aiming for. These three pics were taken at a recent display of military vehicles at Karapiro, New Zealand. As far as we are aware this was the first time since WWII that such a group of Chev 1533X2 30cwt trucks in LRDG configuration were assembled together. When ours is finished it will bring the number up to 5.

[Andrew H.]

The grill panels are a distinctive feature of the Chev 1533X2 LRDG trucks, with some of the vertical "battens" removed for better cooling in desert conditions. Purists may cringe at the modifications necessary to achieve LRDG configuration but we consider creating a replica to honour the New Zealanders who served in the LRDG outweighs other considerations. Anyway here are some before and after pics of the grille panels after bead blasting and priming.

[Lionelgee]

Hello Andrew,

Did your Chevrolet truck come with its data plate? It is the plate that describes the TARE and Gross Vehicle Mass or similar weights and carrying capacities?

I have a 1940 truck dual rear wheels with the cabin made by Holden. My truck is missing the plate. It would be good to find out what is written on the later similar truck like yours.

If your truck does have such a plate can you copy down the details for me please?

Kind regards
Lionel

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello Andrew,
Did your Chevrolet truck come with its data plate? It is the plate that describes the TARE and Gross Vehicle Mass or similar weights and carrying capacities?
If your truck does have such a plate can you copy down the details for me please?
Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel, See attached.
However, its not very clear and also does not appear to give any weights.
Cheers,
Andrew

[Andrew H.]

This thread would not be complete without showing the finished truck.

[m606paz]

Beautiful!

[Bob Carriere]

I am going to go back to the first post on your site to refresh my memory and maybe inspire me to do mine......

I think I have everything but the sheet metal.......

Any chance of getting some full side view and the tail end......Pleezeeee

I may have to make a list of questions after I have exhausted all your postings.

What was your source and name of the color you used???

Cheers

Bob C.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

This thread would not be complete without showing the finished truck.

Congrats on completing this project